Pittsburgh, Pa. – Neither the
Robert Morris University women's hockey team nor the Rochester Institute of Technology skated under any ladders on this Friday the 13th as the two College Hockey America (CHA) rivals skated to a 2-2 tie this evening from 84 Lumber Arena.
Robert Morris (9-17-4, 6-8-3 CHA) remains one point ahead of Lindenwood for fourth place in the CHA standings and three behind Syracuse for third following the aforementioned teams' 4-4 draw this evening.
RIT (10-17-4, 4-11-2 CHA) put together the game's first great chance midway through the opening period, as Kolbee McCrea freed herself some space with some nifty skating through the slot. Her quick shot was gloved by sophomore goaltender
Jessica Dodds however, keeping the contest scoreless.
The Tigers would pick up the contest's first goal on a power play 12 and a half minutes in as Mackenzie Stone batted home a rebound off a blocked shot.
Sophomore forward
Mackenzie Johnston created two scoring opportunities in the middle frame as the Colonials searched for the tying goal. The first chance came when she carried the puck down the right end on a two-on-one, before placing a pretty pass on senior forward
Katie Fergus' stick. Fergus' shot slid underneath the padding of RIT goaltender Ali Binnington, but its path continued on the wrong side of the iron.
Johnston then corralled a pass from Fergus in the RMU defensive zone, breaking free from the Tiger defense for a one-on-one chance with a defenseman. However, Binnington came up big to retain the RIT lead.
The Colonials would finally get on the board with a minute remaining in the middle stanza. Senior captain
Rebecca Vint gathered a feed from sophomore forward
Rikki Meilleur behind the cage and found some space in front of the right face-off circle. Vint then flipped a backhander that trickled up Binnington's arm and into the netting, lighting the lamp for the 70th goal of her career. Junior defenseman
Megan Eady was credited with the secondary assist.
The visitors would have an immediate answer however, as Marissa Maugeri was there to bury a loose puck in the crease with 18 seconds left in the frame.
RMU tied the game midway through the third period thanks to Fergus' third goal of the season. With the puck along the boards, the senior and Johnston raced to keep it in the Colonial offensive zone. They succeeded as it trickled to Fergus, who would then loft a backhanded shot through the smallest of openings to make it 2-2.
The Colonials ramped up the pressure when Caitlin Wallace was sent to the box for high-sticking with 5:40 remaining in regulation. Three shots on the man advantage were pushed just wide, while Binnington stopped chances from Johnston and freshman forward
Jessica Gazzola to keep the game even.
RMU generated the best opportunity in the extra frame, but Vint's wrister found glove with 10.6 seconds left to preserve the tie.
Dodds made 23 saves on the evening. The Colonials blocked 20 shots as a team with sophomore defenseman
Mikaela Lowater's five leading the way.
Robert Morris will celebrate the careers of seven student-athletes (
Maddie Collias,
Megan Eady,
Katie Fergus,
Kelsey Gunn,
Katelyn Scott,
Erin Staniewski, and
Rebecca Vint) prior to tomorrow's Valentine's Day contest with RIT as a part of Senior Day festivities. Opening face-off for the rematch between the Colonials and Tigers is set for 3:05 p.m. from 84 Lumber Arena.
